We talked with Kendra Adachi about unearthing what matters most in the kitchenits not the recipe.
Simply Recipes / Jesse Wong
If youre here,chances are you like to cook.
This Lazy Genius principle set me free.
Simply Recipes / Jesse Wong
It isnt cooking based on whats at the farmers market, but instead, think about your life season.
My current life season is cooking for a WFH husband and teenager whos on summer break.
Kendra writes in a way thats welcoming and forgivingas if shes one of us.
I spoke with her over Zoom about embracing the Lazy Genius approach in the kitchen and in life.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
But I also wanted to speak to peoples lives.
That is something I really love.
I noticed how tired everyone was from trying so hard to do things that didnt matter to them.
I thought I could be a voice and a permission-giver with helpful tools for these people.
The whole idea of the Lazy Genius is: Name what matters.
Be a genius about what matters.
Be lazy about what doesnt.
And dont judge each other.
Theres no one way thats better.
Its a good idealpeople are gathered, comfortable, laughing, and enjoying each other.
Perhaps there is a plate or bowl or tray of something beautiful in front of them.
Instead, we should be thinking, I want that vibe.
I want that feeling.
We dont need a specific table or a specific recipe.
Then you could limit your decisions.
You are limiting your choices like a Netflix queue.
These are the ones that I know I want.
And then combine them with what I call Brainless Crowd Pleaserseasy hit recipes that everyone likes.
We eat a lot of Brainless Crowd Pleasers in my house.
When we are looking for recipes, the amount of choices can cause a shutdown.
Decide once (LGP #1)these are the meals we will eat over the next two months.
you’re able to put them in whatever order you want.
The decision is much simpler than picking from the entirety of all recipes in the world.
Loud ingredients show up on the palate and on the plate.
They offer that contrast or crunch, like chorizo or radicchio.
Potatoes are just like chill.
Radicchio is like, Hey whats up?
[Laughs] Its important to consider the existence of both to make it feel complete.
I honestly think that is true when youre the only one sitting there.
The humanity that exists at the table is what makes it special.
It is not the food.
What matters the most is the connection.
